GLOUCESTERSHIRE county councillors and staff have taken to the road to find out exactly how people want money raised from council tax to be spent.

The authority will decide on the budget for the financial year 2005-06 on February 23. Before this members are taking part in a series of road shows to find out what services are important to people.

Twelve venues have been chosen in order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to give their views.

The road shows will take place, among other venues, at:

BLOB Wotton Town Hall, Market Street, on Friday, January 28 (noon-2pm);

BLOB Dursley shopping area/Town Hall, on Saturday, January 29 (9.30-11.30am).

Leader of the council Cllr Peter Clarke (Lab) said: "Council tax can cause hardship there is no question of that. This together with a disappointing settlement from central government and continuing pressures on our services means we will have to make hard decisions.

"After listening to local people's views in last year's road shows we are proposing an increase of 3.9 percent for this year. This is the minimum increase we can achieve and not make cuts to front-line services while also alleviating some of the pressure on council taxpayers."

The suggested increase is the lowest increase in council tax since 1996-97 and well below government targets.

Deputy Leader Cllr Liz Boait (Lib Dem) said: "Last year the overwhelming view to come out of the road shows was that people wanted us to keep increases to a minimum. This is what we have done, but it does mean that many services will not receive the increases they need. Before we make any decisions we need to know this is what the people of Gloucestershire want.

"That is why consultation is so essential, local people's input is important and I would urge everybody to come along to the road shows and let us know what they think."

In addition to the road shows the County Council is sending out a questionnaire to 2000 Gloucestershire residents and asking schools what they think of the proposals.

The cabinet is proposing a budget of £548 million. The average household in Gloucestershire pays a band C council tax which will mean an increase of 58p per week for the county share of the bill.

Examples of costs to a band C council tax payer are £2.43 per week for primary school pupils, 35p per week for waste recycling and disposal, £2.09 per week for each person supported by social services in residential accommodation.